I'm looking to buy an SUV to last me the next two years or so, till we can get into a different house and get comfortable again. I'm looking at a 2000 excursion with V10, 141,000 miles, with 6" lift and fairly clean body. No trans work, but seems to shift fine. Had one of the exhaust manifold gaskets replaced, no issues with the other. I had a clean 2001 with the v8 that I sold to work on our house, so I have a little sentimental attachment.

I agree with the stick with GM statement but if you decide toward a Land Rover I have one for sale. Its a 2002 Discovery SD with just over 100k on it, a 4" lift with like new 33" BFG KM2's. I have fixed several of the common issues on it when I got it and some of the "hard to find" problems with it so everything on it works correctly now. PM me if you might be interested in it.

My only experience with Land Rovers have been negative. My roommate in college got a 2001 Discovery II and bragged about its reliability and offroad prowess. He proceded to get humiliated offroad by a bone stock 93 S10 Blazer, having me go rescue him when he broke down repeatedly, had damn near the entire electrical system replaced when the dealer drove 500 miles to the UP to tow it back downstate and fix, etc, etc. He traded it in on an Escape and never looked back.

I agree on the GM with LS suggestions. They run forever....only thing to be weary of is 4L60E transmissions with lots of miles. They tend to crap out. You mentioned a Trailblazer. My wife got a 2004 with 80k miles back in December. So far it's been a very good vehicle and we both like it, but the mileage is barely any better than what a Tahoe with the 5.3 would get if you don't drive like an idiot. Pretty sure I saw a Trailblazer on here for a really good deal within the past few weeks, I'd search the "vehicles for sale" forum for it.

Well, ended up with neither. Got a good price on an 02 bravada, no cool factor, but a solid ride. Only problem is it was over run with air fresheners when I looked at it the first time, when I went back and bought it, I found out why. Previous owner must have been a smoker. Any tips for getting rid of smoke smell???